The Love of a Stranger
Ob1MegOb1

Chapter 7

(Jasmine)

I hated waiting. Ever since I was a child I had always had a problem waiting for things to get done. I always had to do things, not matter how incapacitated I was. My mother had always found joy in that. Sometimes I wonder what she would think if she saw me now. Trying to raise the children all alone and blind. Penniless impoverished, alone.

I fingered the locket I had always wore around my neck my whole life. Just touching it could bring back so many memories of past times. Even back to those times when I could see. Seeing my mother's face, my father's.

I could remember those days when I burned constantly. Images blurred and unsure and never knowing what was real or not. Dreams filled with monsters and images that scared the hell out of me. And waking up to those dreams not being able to see my mother's comforting face as she held me.

I stopped realizing I had been pacing the last few minutes. I sighed in annoyance, wishing there was something I could do instead ofjust sitting there, hoping he would return.

I tried to center my thoughts on hearing their voices again. Feeling them in my arms and the happiness overflowing at our reunion. And getting up and taking them to their beds where they would be safe and then going downstairs and being able to hold Erik in my arms once more.

I couldn't get that moment out of my mind. The kiss had seemed so magical and unreal. Like I had said, I had never felt love before and to feel it for the first time was intoxicating. The thing I found interesting was that he had not seduced me or tried to earn my love. It had just happened. Through our own two being alike in every way.

And I knew I could trust him.

(Erik)

It took me until midday to reach the house. I had, had to make sure they were far enought away that the Vicomte would not find them. It had been hard to not tell Jasmine I had known where Rebecca and William were the entire time. Especially after this morning.

I had felt, dare I think it, guilty when she said she had complete trust for me to find them. As I pulled up at the house I felt anxious about actually going in there and procuring. I knew William would figure it out as soon as I walked in the room. And he would probably not hesitate to tell his sister either. Which was my greatest fear.

I put the horse in the stables and used my key to enter the house where I was immediately graced by the prescence of my friend the Daroga.

"I was beginning to think you were never coming," he said smugly.

"Where are they?" I said abruptly.

"Upstairs, but I warn you Erik, the young man is..."

"I know Erik. But I will be a damned fool if I keep Jasmine waiting at the whim of her younger brother."

"He won't go with you Erik," he said impatiently.

"I plan to show him otherwise."

"Fine, then you do it alone." The Daroga said.

"Fine," I said impatiently.

I threw open the door to the room where they were being kept. I was immediately met with William's defiant face. "What the hell are you doing here?"

"I warn you William do not take that tone with me or in front your sister."

"Your're not my father," William said, "You're just the bastard who broke into our house, had us kidnapped from the de Changey residence, and let me guess Jasmine has no idea that we are here!"

Finally I had enough and grabbed him by the collar and shoved him out the door, despite Rebecca's fearful gaze. "You and I need to talk," I said forcefully shutting the door behind me.

(Jasmine)

I was surprised to hear someone knock at the door at about noon. I felt my way over to the door and opened it a crack, "May I help you?"

"Are you Jasmine Dinea," a small voice asked.

"Yes who wants to know?" I asked.

"My name is Christine Daae I'm sure you know who I am."

"Yes," I said defiantly, "And you are not welcome here Madmoiselle."

"Please I don't want to cause you any trouble. I just want to warn you about the man you have let into your life. He is not everything he appears to be."

"Oh really I think I can figure it out on my own thank you," I said attempting to close the door.

"I know where you're brother and sister are Madmoiselle," she said quickly. I closed my eyes in frustration. It could be a trap but what if she was telling the truth?
I opened the door a crack again, "You may come in for a few minutes but only if you tell me where they are."

(Erik)

We just sat there staring at each other. Eyes blazing and neither willing to back down and say the first word. But I knew the longer we sat here the longer Jasmine sat at the house unprotected.

"What is your problem with me boy?" I said staring at him.

"Oh I would think it would be obvious," he said glaring at me, "You are a murdering monster who nearly added me and my sister to your list of casualties."

"I never meant to harm your sister," I said quickly.

"Oh but you meant to kill me and live my two sisters there defenseless."

"I think your sister is capable of taking care of herself."

The fool snorted, "Yeah my sister is, but the thing about my sister is that she is too trusting. Because she is blind she can't see what people are, she can't read them. Any person can hide their voice, and all of them feel the same too her. But she can not see the evil that sometimes hides in a person's eyes, or in their smile, or in their actions. She can't tell who a person is because of who she is! A blind woman who can truts everyone."

(Jasmine)

"I suggest you start talking Madmoiselle," I muttered standing there.

"Jasmine," she said softly, "I know you heard that the children escaped from the mansion. What you don't know is that they were taken from there."

"What?" I said, "Who took them?"

"A man I know named Nadir. He used to preside at the Opera House and he was also close friends with Erik." she said softly.

"What are you saying Madmoiselle?" I said my voice beginning to quiver slightly, "That Erik staged it?"

"Thats exactly what I'm saying Jasmine. Nadir never did anything unless it was at Erik's whim. I fear the same thing has happened here."

(Erik)

"You make it sound like Jasmine is a fool," I said my anger rising, "She has raised you and your sister despite everything! How can you say that!"

William's face suddenly turned to one of curiosity, "My god I can't believe I've been so blind. Here I thought you were going to do this to impress my sister. Now I realize its so much more," he muttered.

"What are you talking about boy?"

(Jasmine)

"Thats impossible!" I nearly shouted, "He wouldn't lie to me."

"But lies and deceit are his way. Oh Jasmine I fear he has tricked you like he did me. He found your weakness and used it to his advantage. When Madame Giry told me how he defended you I honestly thought maybe you were different and maybe my dear Erik had found someone at last."

(Erik)

"You fell in love with her didn't you Erik?" William questioned.

I found myself not being able to find anything to say. He was right, but why could I not tell him that. What if I did love his sister it was of no importance to him.

He smiled, "I see, so you brought us to this location where you knew we would be safe, just so you could spend more time with her, and then you would show off by gallantly bringing us back."

(Jasmine)

I sat there too stunned for words. He would never hurt me, not like this.

"I'm sorry," Christine muttered, "I truly thought maybe you were different, now I see you have become nothing more than another one of his victims. A victim because he will do anything to be with you even lie to your face."

I heard her slowly get up and exit through the door.

(Erik)

"How dare you!" I said, "I'm not..."

"But you are," William said, "You did the same thing with Christine Daae. You did anything possible to get her."

I sat there unsure of what to think. And then I suddenly began to dread it. That this darkness had never fully left and I was indeed the man I still hated and feared.

William smiled, "Maybe me and Rebecca should take the carriage ride home alone. And let you think about your actions," he then got up and walked away. "Rebecca get your stuff we are going!"

And I just sat there...

(Jasmine)

too stunned to feel. And not believing that the man everybody feared...

(Erik)

had been there all along.

(Jasmine and Erik)

I am such a fool.

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